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Program Enhancements and Other Budget Adjustments
Restructuring the State's Approach to Incarceration and Parole Supervision
The Administration is proposing a comprehensive approach to the statewide prison and jail capacity crisis. As a result of increased pressure from the courts to reduce population and elements of the Strategic Growth Plan, the Budget proposes several changes to the manner in which low-level offenders are incarcerated and monitored upon release.
ADULT INMATE AND PAROLEE POPULATION
Under existing law, the average daily inmate population is projected to increase from 173,401 in 2006-07 to 177,577 in 2007-08, an increase of 4,176 inmates, or 2.4 percent. This change is due primarily to increases in new admissions from court, and increases in the number of parole violators returned to prison because they committed a new crime and received a new prison term, or because they committed a specific parole violation. The 2006-07 Budget assumed an average daily inmate population of 175,627. (See Figure DCR-02)
Similarly, under existing law, the average daily parole population is projected to increase from 119,148 in 2006-07 to 122,148 in 2007-08, an increase of 3,000 parolees, or 2.5 percent. The projected increase is due to fewer discharges from parole and more releases to parole from prison than expected. This increase is partially offset by more parole violators returned to prison with new terms. The 2006-07 Budget assumed an average daily parole population of 117,754.
The fiscal impact of these population changes in 2006-07 is an increase of $9.7 million General Fund and a reduction of $257,000 in other funds. In 2007-08, the fiscal impact is an increase of $58.8 million General Fund, and an increase of $533,000 other funds.
PARTNERING WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
Beginning July 1, 2008, specified non-serious, non-violent felons with terms of three years or less will serve their sentences in county jails. This will not reduce the length of their sentences. This change is a pivotal component of the State's historic partnership with local law enforcement. The Strategic Growth Plan will provide $4.4 billion to local governments for the construction of jail facilities. Combined with a $1.1 billion match, this will provide a significant investment in California's criminal justice system. Once these momentous changes are implemented, annual state prison costs will decrease by an estimated $250 million in 2008-09 and $500 million in 2009-10 and ongoing. The Administration recognizes that there will also be increased operating costs at the local level and is committed to working with Legislators and local officials to address these costs as part of a comprehensive reform package.
The Budget includes estimated savings resulting from modifications to the parole structure, which will allow law enforcement to focus on those who pose the greatest risk of committing another crime. This includes automatic discharge from parole for individuals with 12 months of "clean time", and no parole for low-level offenders upon completion of their prison sentences. The Budget also assumes the elimination of 90-day diagnostic evaluations. In total, these changes are estimated to result in savings of $56.7 million in 2007-08 and $75.5 million in 2008-09 and ongoing.
The Budget includes $50 million in 2007-08 and $100 million in 2008-09 and ongoing for local adult probation funding. These funds will be used to target the at-risk 18-to 25-year-old probation population, which accounts for the largest percentage of new felon admissions to the state prison system. The program will be modeled after the successful Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act program, which has had a positive impact on the juvenile offender population. Through shared responsibility for the offender population statewide, local governments and the state will each have a greater stake in positive outcomes.
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS for
Corrections and Rehabilitation Back to Top
PRINTABLE BUDGET DOCUMENTS Back to Top
Budget Summary - Corrections and Rehabilitation (pdf * - 76K)
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Provides this entire Corrections and Rehabilitation Chapter in pdf format.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Back to Top
Proposed Budget Detail - Corrections and Rehabilitation
Displays Proposed Budget Detail information for Corrections and Rehabilitation.
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